Fuerteventura is the oldest island in the Canary Islands dating back to 20 million years from a volcanic eruption. The majority of the island was created about 5 million years ago and since then eroded by wind and weather. The last volcanic activity in Fuerteventura was between 4,000 to 5,000 years ago. The highest point in Fuerteventura is Mount Jandía (807 m) in the southwestern part of the island. Geographical features include Istmo de la Pared which is 5 km wide and is the narrowest part of Fuerteventura, the island is divided into two parts, the northern portion which is Maxorata and the southwestern part called the Jandía peninsula. The island is the least settled in the Canary Islands.
Economy
Fuerteventura Coastline
Fuerteventura Coastline
The main economy on Fuerteventura is tourism; other main industries are fishing, agriculture (cereals and vegetables), and businesses. Primary tourist areas are around the existing towns of Corralejo in the north and Morro Jable in Jandia, plus the purely tourist development at Caleta de Fuste south of Puerto del Rosario.
Sites of interest
The sites of interest includes Corralejo and El Jable to the north which are made up of fine sand dunes, the south is filled with long beaches and remote bays. The constant winds blowing the beaches make the paradise for windsurfing. Water skiing is common in the west coast where there are large waves. Windsurfing is common north of Corralejo or at the north coast.
At Cofete on the western side of Jandía a remote and imposing house - Villa Winter - looks out to sea across wide and generally empty beaches. It was reputedly built by a Herr Winter on land given by Generalissimo Franco.
In January 18, 1994, the luxury liner SS America (once was USS Westpoint) was abandoned and left in Playa de Garcey. Better known as The American Star, conspiracy theories abound as to how the ship came to be wrecked there.
